Apparatus for sending out bill or card type material

ABSTRACT

This invention involves an apparatus which is able to payout surly and speedily sheet bodies one by one, while minimizing the overall dimensions of the apparatus and with a simplified structure. This present invention is an apparatus for paying out a sheet body which comprises at least a suction device which has an opening to absorb a sheet body, and a sending out device to send out the sheet body which is absorbed on this suction device, resisting to the absorption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/317,356 filedMay 24, 1999, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/868,266 filed Jun. 3, 1997, the entire disclosure of each priorapplication is considered to be part of the disclosure of theaccompanying application and is hereby incorporated by reference therein

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to an apparatus for paying out asheet body which consists of paper or synthetic resin and the like. Thisinvention is especially concerned with a sheet body payout apparatus forpaying with certainty a bill as the sheet body which is paper money.

[0003] This invention is concretely concerned with an apparatus forpaying out a sheet body which is suitable for fields in which bills areused, such as vending machines which contains ticket sale machines andthe like, money change machines, money changing machines which are usedfor the resists industry and the like. Further, the sheet body withwhich this invention is concerned is typically bills which are foldedfreely. However the invention is also concerned with sheet bodiesincluding card bodies such as telephone cards and commutation ticketcards which are bent freely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Apparatuses are known for paying out a bill such as aconventional sheet body payout apparatus including an apparatus forfeeding a paper leaf. This is disclosed in the specification of JapanesePatent Disclosure 7-237764.

[0005] This feeder relates to an apparatus to supply paper leaves suchas the bills which are stored in a hopper in a desired place wherein thevarious paper leaves are separated. In front of a hopper bottom wall onwhich bills are piled, a guidance plate of the bill is provided in thesetting up condition and, on a single roller rotating axis, a separationroller and a carrying-out roller of the bill are provided respectively.This provides a complicated mechanism for the apparatus as disclosed inthis specification.

[0006] A card sending-out apparatus for a card vending machine is alsoknown as disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Application4-283398 (or Japanese Disclosure Application 6-96349). As for this cardsending-out apparatus, within the upper portion of two outside platesthat are separated in parallel, cards forming a layered body are held. Acomplicated mechanism is provided with this apparatus for sending out acard with the paying-out roller and the sending-out roller of the card.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a sheet body payoutapparatus with a small and simple structure which doesn't need acomplicated payout mechanism for the apparatus as is mentioned above.

[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatuswhich is able to payout surly and speedily the sheet body one by one,while reducing the size of the apparatus (compared to known devices) andto simplify the structure.

[0009] According to the invention, an apparatus for paying out a sheetbody is provided comprising at least suction means which has an openingto absorb or take up a sheet body, and sending out means for sending outthe sheet body which is absorbed on the suction means, resisting theabsorption.

[0010] The present invention also provides a payout apparatus of whichthe sending out means is within the opening of the suction means.Further, the present invention provides a payout apparatus with whichdrawer means is provided to put in and to draw out the sheet body whichwas sent out by the sending out means.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the payoutdevice has a suction means which includes a fan apparatus.

[0012] Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, thepayout apparatus is provided in which the sending out means is a smalltire-like wheel. According to the present invention the payout apparatusincludes a drawer means including a plurality of rollers.

[0013] This invention is explained below, referring to attached drawingsof the embodiment according to the invention.

[0014] The various features of novelty which characterize the inventionare pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In the drawing:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view which shows a portion of interest ofthe apparatus for paying out sheet bodies according to the invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 4A is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 5A is a side sectional schematic view showing an operationstate of the device of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 5B is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5A, showing anotheroperation state of the device of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 5C is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5A, showing anotheroperation state of the device of the invention; and

[0024]FIG. 5D is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5A, showing anotheroperation state of the device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 1, theinvention comprises a payout device for sheets. An elevator 11 isprovided in the form of a big rectangular plate (see the lower portionof FIG. 1). Elevator 11 acts to pile the sheet bodies such as bills andto upwardly carry the layered sheet bodies.

[0026] The elevator 11 is equipped to rise when the weight is lightened.This is accomplished by means of a spring (not shown) and the like whichis sensitive to the weight. Two standing guide frames 12, 13 surroundeach end part of the elevator 11. The standing guide frames 12, 13 are,for instance, plate bodies which are formed to be bent in the U-shapedform.

[0027] In the upper portion of guide frame 12 on the left or outlet sideof the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, an outlet 14 is formed to pay out asheet body (not shown). At the lower edge of this outlet 14, a guidefragment 15 is provided.

[0028] Near the upper outside portion of the outlet 14 a gripper in theform of, two pairs of rubber rollers 16, 17 are disposed. These rubberrollers 16, 17 act to sandwich and draw out the sheet body. Theserollers 16, 17 are preferably mounted on a case 34 of a box form whichcovers the whole apparatus and forms a drawer means.

[0029] A sheet body suction apparatus 21 is provided as a slightly bigbox form, shown at the center of FIG. 1. This suction apparatus 21, asshown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, is provided with a lower part or receivingside with an opening 22 and the upper part with a small opening 23.

[0030] The suction apparatus 21 is fixed on by welding or the likeinside the guide frame 13. The guide frame 13 is intervened by one pairof protruded arms 24, 25. The suction apparatus 21 is, as shown in FIG.2, formed at the slightly raised and diagonal posture against theelevator 11.

[0031] At the center on the suction apparatus 21, a small fan apparatus26 is disposed. In the drawing, the fan apparatus 26 is illustratedschematically. When the fan apparatus 26 is driven, as shown at thearrow in FIG. 2, air flows to the small opening 23 from the big opening22. As an alternative an insert tube (not shown ) may be provided,inserted into the small opening 23 instead of the fan apparatus 26. Suchan insert tube may be mounted in an airtight manner for providingsuction.

[0032] In the big opening 22 of suction apparatus 21 at nearly theoutlet 14, a small rubber wheel in the form of a small rubber tire 27 isrotatably disposed on an shaft. A pulley 28 is fixed at the out end ofthe rotating axis of tire 27. This tire 27 operates to send out a sheetbody (not shown ) which was absorbed or sucked up at the opening 22 ofsuction apparatus 21 to the direction of outlet 14 by the frictionalpower which occurs based on contact between the sheet body and therubber wheel 27. A motor 29 is provided on the suction apparatus 21. Themotor 29 is fixed to a pulley 30 which is provided on the shaft axis ofthe motor 29. A rubber belt 31, which acts as a transmission device, isexpanded over the pulleys 28, 30 to provide a pulley pair.

[0033] The operation of the embodiment which comprises theabove-mentioned constitution, is described below firstly as withreference to the showing of FIG. 5A. A plurality of sheet bodies S arepiled on the elevator 11 in a layered manner. When the sheet body S is abill, a gap G between the first sheet body S1 on the sheet bodies S andthe edge most below in the opening 22 is desirably about 5 mm. However,the size of gap G may be changed on the basis of the size, thethickness, the weight and the like such as sheet bodies S which are inthe form of a card. Therefore, one is not limited to above-mentionednumerical value, of course.

[0034] Next, when the suction apparatus 26 is driven, as shown in FIG.5B, the air is blown upwardly and the negative pressure occurs in theopening 22. The sheet body S1, the uppermost top sheet body S, is as aresult absorbed or sucked up at the opening 22, as shown in FIG. 5B. Inthis case, the underside of the suction apparatus 21, i.e. the edgesurface on the opening 22 has an angle K (referring to FIG. 5A) to thehorizontal plane. Therefore, the sheet body S1 is, as shown in FIG. 5B,bent at a bend line located at ⅓ from the right or opposite side of theapparatus or the body S1.

[0035] As a result, in case of sheet bodies S being new bills, or incase of sheet bodies S being so-called new tickets, by this bend, thetop new bill is totally separated from the new bill below. Therefore,there is the certainty that two-sheets (sheet bodies S) do not pass out.In case of cards it may not be possible to provide for such a bend orthe like. The angle K is not necessary.

[0036] Moreover, at the underside of the box-shaped suction apparatus21, as seen in FIG. 2, the opening edges 32, 33 form a part of areceiving surface of the receiving side. As shown in FIG. 4B, the areaof the opening 22 is larger than the area of the receiving surface. Thereceiving surfaces formed by edges 32, 33 on either side of the opening22 are curved slightly and projectingly to the lower direction, as shownFIG. 4A. In the case of a bill in which a short portion is left with thesheet body S rounded or curled, the bill is curved to the direction ofthe width of the bill with the curve of opening edges 32, 33 when thebill is absorbed by the suction apparatus 21. Therefore, the curl in thelength direction is removed and the bill becomes flat. However, theopening edges 32, 33 on either side may also be curved and depressed tothe upper direction, contrary to FIG. 4A.

[0037] Also, in case of the sheet body S which doesn't have a curl andthe like, the curves of the concave or convex opening edges 32, 33 arenot necessary of course.

[0038] Next, in the condition shown in FIG. 5B, when the motor 29 isoperated, the tire 27 is rotated through the pulley 30, the belt 31, thepulley 28. As the result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sheet body S1 whichis absorbed on the opening 22 is sent out to the direction of outlet 14by the friction power of the tire 27.

[0039] When the about ¼ portion on the left side (viewing FIG. 5C) ofsheet body S1 is sent out, the tip part of this sheet body S1 issandwiched between rollers 16 and 17 which are paired. As soon as thisis sandwiched, it is quickly dragged by the rollers 16,17 which turnfaster than the tire 27 and, as shown in FIG. 5D, it begins to be paidout to the outside direction.

[0040] When moving from the condition of FIG. 5C to the condition ofFIG. 5D, the tip part of the first sheet body S1 is put between a pairof rollers 16 and 17, and an approximately ⅔ portion on the left side ofsheet body S1 is sent out from the suction apparatus 21. At this time,the illustration is omitted and, the about a right half portion ofopening 22 (in FIG. 5D) is released, and the center of the followingsecond sheet body S2 is sucked and rises up.

[0041] Moreover, when the whole opening 22 is released, the followingsheet body S2 is, as shown in FIG. 5D, absorbed at the opening 22 of thesuction apparatus 21. Further, in the operation description at the abovementioned FIGS. 5A-5D, the suction apparatus 21 is continuously drivenand the tire 27 is rotated as needed. However, continuous rotation ofthe tire 27 is also possible and the calculation of the number of sheetbodies S to pay out is made with another apparatus (not shown).

[0042] The invention allows a payout of sheet bodies S surely and withcertainty and moreover at higher speed than prior devices. Also,according to the invention and the disclosed preferred embodiment, thetire (or wheel) is disposed within the opening 22 of the suctionapparatus. However, depending on the size, the hardness and the like ofsheet body S, the opening 22 is made small and the tire 27 may bedisposed outside of opening 22. In this case, the tire 27 touches a partof the sheet body S which is outside the suction apparatus 21 or a partof the card body and, the sheet or card body is sent out by thefrictional power.

[0043] Also, in the description so far, a sending out apparatus of whichthe elevator 11 is arranged below is illustrated. However, being basedon the size, the thickness of the sheet or the card body and the like,the apparatus of which the elevator 11 is arranged diagonally orperpendicularly or above is permitted of course. In other words,depending on the size, the thickness of the sheet or the card body andthe like, even if the sending out apparatus illustrated is mounted on asetting up condition or on a upside down condition or on a tumblecondition, a similar operation is gotten of course.

[0044] According to this present invention above mentioned, by thecombination with simple constitution, a desirable effect is achievedthat a sheet body payout apparatus is provided with a small and simplestructure. That is, by combining a suction means of the fan and the likeand a sending out means of the tire and the like according to thispresent invention, a sheet body payout apparatus with the small andsimple structure is attained.

[0045] In addition, according to this present invention, a big advantageis also attained that sheet bodies one by one can be sent surely and athigh speed.

[0046] While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

APPENDIX

[0047] S, S1, S2: sheet bodies

[0048]16, 17: rollers (drawer means)

[0049]21: suction apparatus (suction means)

[0050]22: opening (suction means )

[0051]26: fan apparatus (suction means)

[0052]27: tire or wheel (sending out means)

[0053]28, 30: pulley (sending out means)

[0054]29: motor (sending, out means)

[0055]31: belt (sending out means)

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for paying out a sheet bodycomprising: suction means having a large opening for absorbing a wholeof the sheet body, said suction means having an exhaust opening forexhausting air; an air sucking apparatus which is provided with saidsuction means and connected to said exhaust opening for sucking airthere-through; small sending out means for moving the sheet body whichis sucked up on the suction means with respect to said suction means,said sending out means acting to move the sheet body with respect to aforce of suction of said suction means, said sending out means beingarranged adjacent said large opening and having a portion projectingfrom said large opening.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinsaid sending out means is within said opening of said suction means. 3.The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising drawer means forat least one of putting in and drawing out the sheet body sent out bysaid sending out means.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , whereinsaid suction means comprises a fan apparatus.
 5. The apparatus accordingto claim 4 , wherein said sending out means is a small wheel.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said drawer means includes aplurality of rollers.
 7. An apparatus for discharging a sheet bodycomprising: suction means having an opening for sucking up the sheetbody, said suction means including a receiving side for receiving thesheet body after the sheet body has been sucked up, said receiving sidehas a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to a movingdirection of said sending out means, said receiving side has atransverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinaldirection, said receiving side has a bend with a bend line substantiallyparallel to said transverse direction, said receiving side has a curveabout an axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction;sending out means positioned within said suction means and including arotating wheel for moving the sheet body which is sucked up on saidsuction means away from said suction means, said wheel having a portionprojecting from said opening; an elevator positioned on a side of thesheet body opposite said suction means, said elevator holding aplurality of the sheet bodies and including means for raising theplurality of sheet bodies when a weight of said sheet bodies islightened, said receiving side of said suction means being angularlyspaced from a plane of the sheet bodies held in said elevator.
 8. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein: said suction meansincludes a receiving side for receiving the sheet body after the sheetbody has been sucked up, said receiving side having a longitudinaldirection substantially parallel to a moving direction of said sendingout means, said receiving side having a transverse directionsubstantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, saidreceiving side having a bend with a bend line substantially parallel tosaid transverse direction, said receiving side having a curve about anaxis substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction.
 9. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 7 , wherein: said receiving sidedefines said opening for entrance of air into said suction means andincludes a receiving surface around said opening, said receiving surfacecontacting the sheet body, an area of said opening being larger than anarea of said receiving surface, said area of said opening being largerthan a contact surface of said wheel.
 10. An apparatus in accordancewith claim 1 , wherein: said suction means includes a receiving side forreceiving the sheet body after the sheet body has been sucked up, saidreceiving side defines said large opening for entrance of air into saidsuction means and includes a receiving surface around said largeopening, said receiving surface contacting the sheet body, an area ofsaid large opening being much larger than an area of said receivingsurface, said area of said large opening being larger than a contactarea of said sending out means.